Aug. 31, 2004

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Kevin Cassese has been named assistant men's lacrosse coach at Stony Brook University, head coach Lars Tiffany announced on Tuesday. The former three-time All-American at Duke University is the first assistant to join Tiffany's staff since he took over on August 10. "Kevin brings a wealth of talent and experience to Stony Brook's men's lacrosse program," said Tiffany. "His principles and determination to be a great player, coach and man make him a perfect fit for our staff." The three-time USILA All-American starred at Duke from 2000-03, earning first team All-America honors in his final two seasons and second team accolades as a sophomore. The 2001 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, Cassese was a three-time All-ACC pick and a two-time finalist for the Tewaaraton Trophy for national player of the year honors. He led the Blue Devils to two ACC Championships and to the NCAA quarterfinals in both 2000 and 2002. In his college career, Cassese finished 24th on Duke's all-time list with 118 points on 80 goals and 38 assists and was named to the ACC 50th Anniversary Team for men's lacrosse after his junior season. He was even more dominant at taking faceoffs, where he won 236-of-374 draws (.631). In 2002, Cassese was the recipient of the Lt. Donald McLaughlin Division I National Midfielder of the Year award and went on to win a gold medal at the International Lacrosse Federation World Championship in Perth, Australia. A four-time ACC Academic Honor Roll selection, Cassese earned the ACC Weaver, James, Corrigan Post-Graduate Scholarship for his outstanding athletic and academic achievements. Cassese graduated from Duke in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in sociology and a minor in business. Upon graduation, Cassese was drafted second overall in the 2003 Major League Lacrosse College Draft by the Rochester Rattlers. In his first season, he was named the MLL Rookie of the Week two times and, in 2004, helped lead his team to the National Division Championship. In addition to his playing career, Cassese is also very involved in marketing as well as youth camps. He served as a brand marketing associate for Brine, Inc. for the past year, where he managed programs for lacrosse, soccer and field hockey including the College Partnership Program. He is also the founder and president of Cassese Sports Enterprises, Inc., and is the chief director of the Kevin Cassese Lacrosse Camps, which provide lacrosse instruction to boys ages seven to 16. "I am excited to become a part of the Stony Brook family," said Cassese. "I look forward to working closely with Coach Tiffany and the entire athletic staff as we bring Stony Brook to the next level of Division I lacrosse. I am especially excited about returning to my Long Island roots. I believe Long Island has some of the best lacrosse in the world and I look forward to doing everything in my power to bring Stony Brook to the forefront of the Long Island lacrosse landscape."